Malawi Police free 6 Muslims in Mangochi: Court freed 9 youths over demos

Malawi Police have released six people who were arrested on trespassing charges after they  illegally occupied government premises in Mangochi.

Presidential advisor on religious affairs Apostle Timothy Khoviwa travelled to Mangochi on Tuesday to broker peace after the arrest of the six.

Khoviwa said he was happy his effort yielded fruits.

Those who were arrested were Isaac Assan, 28, of Chongwe Village from T/A Katuli, Fredrick Assan, 20, of M’baluku Village in Chief Chowe’s area, Muhamed Ibrahim, 23,  Simbiri Village in T/A Jalasi and Pearson Sande, 32, of Maunde Village T/A Katuli in Mangochi.

Others are Chikondi Misomali, 27, of Namanya Village and Frailo Jackson, 28, of Nachipo Village both from Traditional Authority Nkhumba in Phalombe.

However, police remained at the ministry of Works camp to guard the place and there was still heavy presence of cops in the district after Muslim Jamaat was forcebly evicted from the premises they illegally occupied.

In Mzuzu, the resident magistrate has freed on bail nine youths from Mzuzu Youth Association who were arrested for holding a peaceful demonstration in protest against food shortages and ailing economy among others.

The magistrate freed the youths after the state failed to parade witnesses although it asked the court to remand the suspects until the state was ready for the case.

Four youths were freed on Monday as the state said they wanted to use them against the nine as state witnesses.